Spirit Lake, Iowa — A sentencing date has been set for next week in the case of a man accused in connection with the December 21st, 2020 death of Angel Bastman at a residence in Lake Park.
Sentencing for 25-year-old Justice Berntson of Sioux City has been scheduled for June 21st. Berntson originally entered a not guilty plea to the charges of First Degree Murder, Theft in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy to Commit a Non-Forcible Felony about ten months ago, but changed his plea to guilty for an amended charge of attempted murder, which is a class B felony. As such, Berntson faces up to 25 years in prison.
A bench trial was held last month for Berntson’s co-defendent, Allison Decker. She was charged with the same original counts as Berntson — First Degree Murder, Theft in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy to Commit a Non-Forcible Felony. The judge has not yet released a verdict in that case.
